Pickleball Training System

ABSTRACT

A pickleball training system having a paddle, ball, and elastic cord. The paddle has a planar head hitting service and a handle extending from the head. The ball is a hollow sphere having a plurality of perforations in a surface of the sphere. The cord is an elastic member with a dowel connected to a first end of the cord. The dowel and first end of the cord are connected to the ball and a second end of the cord is connected to the paddle. The dowel and first end of the cord are connected to the ball by passing the dowel and first end of the cord through one of the perforations of the ball. The second end of the cord is connected to the paddle by passing the cord first through the through bore of the paddle head and then through the through bore in the handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to racquet sports and more particularly to paddles and training systems for the sport of pickleball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pickleball training system of the present invention comprises a paddle, a ball, and a cord. The paddle comprises a head having a first planar face and an opposing second planar face, and a handle extending from a bottom portion of the head. The head of the paddle the head comprises a through bore. The ball comprises a hollow sphere defining an internal cavity and having a plurality of perforations in a surface of the sphere. The cord comprises a first end connected to the ball and a second end connected to the paddle. The first end of the cord is connected to the ball by passing the first end through at least one of the perforations of the ball.

In an alternative embodiment the pickleball training system comprises a paddle, a ball, a cord, and an elongate pin. The paddle comprises a head having a first planar face and an opposing second planar face and a handle extending from a bottom portion of the head. The head of the paddle comprises a through bore. The ball comprises a hollow sphere defining an internal cavity and having a plurality of perforations in a surface of the sphere. The cord has a first end connected to the ball and a second end connected to the paddle. Connecting the first end of the cord to the ball comprises the steps of attaching the first end of the cord to the pin and inserting the first end of the cord and the pin through at least one of the perforations of the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pickleball training system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the ball in FIG. 1 showing a preferred connection for the cord to the ball.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for connecting the cord to the ball.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pickleball is a racquet sport developed as an alternative to tennis and combines features of other racquet sports. The game of pickleball is played on a court similar in layout to but much smaller than a traditional tennis court. The pickleball game deploys a net dividing two halves of the court but the net is lower than a tennis net. The pickleball paddle is similar in size to a racquetball racquet but has a hitting surface. The ball for pickleball is similar in size to a wiffleball or softball, and comprises a hollow plastic ball with a plurality of perforations in the surface of the ball. Players in pickleball use their paddle to hit the ball back and forth across the net in an effort to get their opponent to fail to hit a return shot. Successful pickleball players employ good footwork, quick reflexes and an understanding of angles on a court in order to defeat opponents. The pickleball trainer system of the present invention assists players in developing these skills.

With reference now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown therein a pickleball training system, designated by reference numeral 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pickleball training system 10 comprises a paddle 12, ball 14, and a cord 16. The paddle 12 comprises a head 20 and a handle 22. The head 20 has a first planar face 24 and an opposing second planar face 26, wherein the opposing faces define a hitting portion of the paddle 12. The head 20 is generally oval in shape and may be made from a variety of known materials. The head 20 further comprises a through-bore 28 facilitating placement and connection of the elastic cord 16 in a manner yet to be described. The through-bore 28 is preferably located approximately in a center portion of the head 20 of the paddle.

The handle 22 of the paddle 12 is attached to and extends from a bottom portion 29 of the head 20. The handle 22 is generally cylindrical in nature and sized to be an effective grip for a player using the paddle 12. The handle 22 may be formed integrally with the head 20 or may be coupled to head via any number of acceptable approaches. One skilled in the art will appreciate the handle 22 has a thickness greater than a thickness of the head 20 of the paddle 12, and thus the paddle 12 may comprise a neck portion 30 effecting a transition between the head and the handle. In the preferred embodiment the handle comprises a through bore 32 in a distal end 34 of the handle. The through bore 32 facilitates connection of the cord 16 to the paddle 12 in a manner yet to be defined.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the ball 14 of the system 10 is preferably any conventional pickleball ball. The ball 14 comprises a hollow plastic sphere 40 defining an internal cavity 41. The ball 14 further comprises a plurality of perforations 42 in a surface of the sphere 40. The perforations 42 are preferably circular in nature and evenly spaced around the sphere 40.

The cord 16 operates to connect the paddle 12 to the ball 14. The cord 16 has a first end 50 connectable to the ball 14 and a second end 52 connectable to the paddle 12. Preferably the cord 16 is connected to the ball 14 by inserting the first end 50 of the cord through at least one of the perforations 42 and into the internal cavity of the ball. In the preferred embodiment the cord 16 comprises an elastic band, though other materials such as rubber band, elastic cord, bungee cord, or string, are contemplated for use.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment for connecting the first end 50 of the elastic cord 16 to the ball 14. In the preferred embodiment the training system 10 further comprises an elongate pin 54 secured to the first end of the 50 of the cord 16. The elongate pin 54 is preferably of a selected size and diameter so that the pin may only fit through one of the perforations 42 in the ball 14 in a lengthwise manner but its dimensions prevent the pin from fitting through the perforations otherwise. More preferably the pin 54 comprises a wood dowel so that a hole 56 may be drilled through the wood dowel creating a through bore, such that the cord 16 may be passed through the through bore of the dowel. After the cord 16 is passed through the dowel 54 a knot 58 is tied in the cord to prevent the dowel from sliding off the end of the cord. Alternatively, the cord 16 may be secured to the pin 54 in other known manners such as tying or gluing the cord to the pin. The dowel or pin 54 secured to the first end 50 of the cord 16 in this manner can be inserted in a lengthwise manner through one of the perforations 42 and into the internal cavity of the ball 14. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the ball 14 is in this manner connected to the first end 50 of the cord 16.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment for connecting the first end 50 of the cord 16 to the ball 14 is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the system 10 further comprises a fastener 60 connected to the first end 50 of the cord 16 adjacent the surface of the ball 14. Preferably, the fastener 60 comprises a tension clip having a first eye 62 and a second eye 64. As illustrated, the first end 50 of the cord 16 is passed through the first eye 62 of the clip 60 and then inserted through at least one of the perforations 42 and into the internal cavity of the ball 14. The first end 50 of the cord 16 is then fed through another one of the perforations 42 so that the end of the cord can be passed through the second eye 64 of the clip 60, securing the cord to the clip and thus the ball 14. Alternative embodiments for the fastener 60 are contemplated, such as clamps or hook and loop fasteners. Additionally, other embodiments for connecting the first end 50 of the cord 16 to the 14 are envisioned. For example, the first end 50 of the cord 16 could be inserted through one of the perforations 42 into the internal cavity 41 and then passed through another of the plurality of perforations, and then a knot can be tied in the cord to prevent the cord from being removed from the ball 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein is a side elevation view of the pickleball training system 10 of FIG. 1. As illustrated herein, the preferred method for connecting the second end 52 of the cord 16 to the paddle 12 is demonstrated. Preferably, the second end 52 of the cord 16 is fed through the through bore 28 of the head 20 of the paddle 12. The end 52 of the cord 16 is then preferably fed through the through bore 32 in the handle 22 of the paddle 12. The second end 52 of the cord 16 is then secured by preferably tying an overhand knot 70 in the cord to prevent the cord from slipping back through the through bores 32 and 28. Alternatives to tying the knot in the second end 52 of the cord 16 are anticipated, such as using a clamp or clip on the second end of the cord.

With reference now to FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment for connecting the second end 52 of the cord 16 to the paddle 12 is illustrated. In the alternative embodiment shown, the second end 52 of the cord 16 is fed through the through bore 28 of the head 20 of the paddle 12. The second end 52 of the cord 16 may then be wrapped around the neck 30 of the paddle 12 and preferably secured using a clamp 72. Alternatively, the second end 52 of the cord 16 could be tied around the neck 30 or tied to a ring that may be fitted around the neck of the paddle.

The pickleball training system 10 is for use by pickleball players to train by themselves. As traditional pickleball is played with two or four players who use paddles to hit a pickleball back and forth across a net, practicing the game of pickleball would typically require at least one partner to play with on the opposite side of the net. The pickleball training system 10 allows for a user to practice without any partners. In use a player would grasp the handle 22 of the paddle 12 and hit the ball 14 with the head 20 of the paddle. As the ball 14 is hit the cord 16 will extend to a full length and then be returned toward the paddle 12 as the ball connected by the cord through the through bore 28 in the center of the head 20 of the paddle. The player can continue to hit the ball 14 with the paddle 12 to practice forehand and backhand shots, hard shots, soft or drop shots, or other shots and skills need to master the pickleball game. Additionally, the cord 16 can be lengthened or shortened to adjust ease or difficulty of use in practicing. Use of the pickleball training system 10 allows the user to improve hand speed, coordination, and other skills.

Various modifications can be made in the design and production of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and use of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated, described, and claimed in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pickleball training system comprising: a paddle comprising: a head having a first planar face and an opposing second planar face; and a handle extending from a bottom portion of the head; wherein the head comprises a through bore; a ball comprising a hollow sphere defining an internal cavity and having a plurality of perforations in a surface of the sphere; and a cord having a first end connected to the ball and a second end connected to the paddle; wherein the first end of the cord is connected to the ball by inserting the first end through at least one of the perforations of the ball.
 2. The training system of claim 1 further comprising an elongate pin attached to the first end of the cord; wherein the first end of the cord and the pin are inserted through at least one of the perforations to the internal cavity of the ball.
 3. The training system of claim 2 wherein the pin comprises a dowel having a through bore; and wherein the dowel is attached to the first end of the cord by passing the cord through the through bore of the dowel.
 4. The training system of claim 1 further comprising a fastener attached to the first end of the cord; wherein the first end of the cord is inserted through at least one of the perforations of the ball into the internal cavity and then through another of the at least one of the perforations of the ball; and wherein the first end of the cord is secured to the fastener adjacent the surface of the ball.
 5. The training system of claim 1 wherein the second end of the cord is connected to the paddle by passing the second end of the cord through the through bore of the head of the paddle.
 6. The training system of claim 4 wherein the handle of the paddle comprises a through bore proximate a base of the handle; and wherein the second end of the cord is connected to the paddle by passing the second end of the cord through the through bore of the handle and tying a knot in the cord.
 7. The training system of claim 1 wherein the cord comprises an elastic band.
 8. The training system of claim 1 wherein the cord comprises an elastic cord.
 9. A pickleball training system comprising: a paddle comprising: a head having a first planar face and an opposing second planar face, the head comprising a through bore; and a handle extending from a bottom portion of the head; a ball comprising a hollow sphere defining an internal cavity and having a plurality of perforations in a surface of the sphere; a cord having a first end connected to the ball and a second end connected to the paddle; and an elongate pin; wherein connecting the first end of the cord to the ball comprises the steps of: attaching the first end of the cord to the pin; inserting the first end of the cord and the pin through at least one of the perforations of the ball.
 10. The pickleball training system of claim 9 wherein the pin comprises a dowel having a through bore; and wherein the first end of the cord is attached to the dowel by passing the first end through the through bore of the dowel and then tying a knot in the first end of the cord.
 11. The pickleball training system of claim 9 wherein the first end of the cord is attached to the pin by gluing the pin to the first end of the cord.
 12. The pickleball training system of claim 9 wherein the handle further comprises a through bore at a distal end of the handle; and wherein the second end of the cord is passed through the through bore of the head of the paddle; and wherein the second end of the cord is passed through the through bore of the handle and then tying a knot in the second end of the cord. 